MSS 88

Carmel, Simon J.
Papers of Simon Carmel--TTY History, 1966-1975

Gallaudet University Archives.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 88
Creator: Simon J. Carmel
Title: Papers of Simon J. Carmel-TTY History, 1966-1975
Quantity: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 document box)
Abstract: This collection is about the history of the TTY.
Note: This document last updated 2005 November 28.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Simon Carmel donated the TTY History Collection to the Gallaudet University Archives on March 16, 1988.
Processed by: Victor Marques and Wei-Mui Wong. 1990 and 1998 November 2.
Processing Note:
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

See ALADIN

Historical Sketch
Device History

The telephone had presented an insurmountable obstacle for communication between deaf people since it was invented. Unable to use this vital instrument, Deaf people had to communicated through mail, rely on a third party to pass along the information, or drive over to talk to the receiving party.

For that reason, social clubs for Deaf people were prevalent; people could meet face to face in order to deliver messages and discuss matters that would otherwise typically be handled over the phone.

The year of 1964 was the turning point when Deaf orthodontist Dr. James C. Mars of Pasadena, California shipped a teletype machine to Deaf scientist Robert Weit in Redwood City, California and requested a way to attach it to the telephone system so that phone communication could take place. That teletype machine, model S2ASR, was one of the machines discarded by telegraph companies in favor of new telegraphic code technology.

Weitbrecht modified an acoustic coupler, which gave birth to ‘Baudot’; a code still used TTY machines to the present. While no definitive figures are available on the total number of TTY devices currently in operation worldwide, it would be safe to say at least I million machines are now in use.

Thanks to: http : //www .deafexpo . org/tty museum-hi story. htrn

Scope and Content

This collections contains correspondence, advertisements, articles, by-laws, newspaper clippings, instruction, newsletters, and telephone directory about the TTY device for the deaf that was collected by Simon Carmel as he worked for the US Government agency in the metro Washington area.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists
No Series.